Press brake tool incorporating seating and/or locating mechanism

ABSTRACT

Press brake tools suitable for punching and/or otherwise deforming workpieces, such as sheet metal. Provided in some embodiments are a press brake tool and a press brake tool holder, in combination. Methods of using press brake tools are also provided. In certain embodiments, the tool has a mechanism for locating and/or seating, such as a tool-seating mechanism adapted for moving the tool parallel to a pressing axis of a tool holder on which the tool is to be used.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to provisional US patentapplication filed Jun. 10, 2005 and assigned Ser. No. 60/689,380, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to industrial presses. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to press brakes and press braketooling.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Press brakes are commonly used to bend or otherwise deform sheet-likeworkpieces, such as sheet metal workpieces. A conventional press brakehas an upper beam and a lower beam, at least one of which is movabletoward and away from the other. Typically, the upper beam is movablevertically while the lower beam is fixed in a stationary position. It iscommon for a male forming punch and a female forming die to be mountedrespectively on the upper and lower beams of a press brake.

Typically, the punch has a downwardly oriented, workpiece-deformingsurface (or “tip”). The configuration of this surface is dictated by theshape into which it is desired to deform a workpiece. The die typicallyhas a recess, bounded by one or more workpiece-deforming surfaces, thatis aligned with the tip of the punch. The configuration of this recesscorresponds to the configuration of the punch's tip. Thus, when thebeams are brought together, a workpiece between them is pressed by thepunch into the die to give the workpiece a desired deformation (e.g., adesired bend).

In order to accurately deform a workpiece, it is necessary for the toolsto be mounted securely on the tool holder. This is accomplished byforcibly clamping the holder about each tool. Multiple steps aresometimes required, for example, to mount a punch on the upper beam of apress brake. The punch may be moved into an initial-mount position bylifting the shank of the punch upwardly between a support plate andclamp of the tool holder. In some cases, when the punch is moved intothis position, a safety key of the punch engages a safety slot of thetool holder. In other cases, a safety groove on the punch is engaged bya lip on the clamp of the tool holder. Either way, the tool holder issubsequently clamped forcibly on the shank of the punch. Even at thispoint, the load-bearing surfaces of the tool holder and punch may not besecurely engaged. Rather, additional steps may be required. For example,with many tool holder designs, the upper and lower tables of the pressbrake must subsequently be moved together until the punch comes intocontact with a die on the lower table. By forcing the tip of the punchagainst the die, the punch can be urged upwardly relative to the toolholder until the load-bearing surface(s) of the tool is/are moved intocontact with the corresponding load-bearing surface(s) of the toolholder. When a punch is in this operative position, the load-bearingsurfaces of the tool holder and punch are engaged and the tang of thepunch is forcibly clamped, e.g., between a support plate and clamp ofthe tool holder. During pressing operations, the punch is maintained inthis position. Thus, several steps may be required to operatively mounta punch on the upper table of a press brake.

It would be desirable to provide a tool that can be operatively clampedby a tool holder in such a way that the load-bearing surfaces of thetool and tool holder are engaged as an adjunct of the clamping action ofthe tool holder (e.g., without having to press the tip of aloosely-clamped punch against a die on the lower table of the pressbrake). The present invention provides new press brake tooltechnologies, in which a seating and/or locating mechanism isincorporated into the tool.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Press brake tool seating has been attempted in a few instances bybuilding tool seating mechanisms into press brake tool holders. Thesetool holder mechanisms may be less than ideal in terms of theircomplexity, propensity to fail, etc. Furthermore, building a seatingmechanism into the tool holder requires a machinist to possess aspecialized tool holder in order to enjoy the benefits of tool seating.Some embodiments of the present invention provide a press brake toolwherein a seating mechanism is incorporated into the tool itself. Thus,a machinist can accomplish tool seating using any of a variety ofconventional press brake tool holders.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a press brake toolconfigured for being operatively mounted on a tool holder of a pressbrake having a pressing axis. The tool has a shank adapted for beingpositioned in a tool-mount channel of the tool holder such that theshank when clamped forcibly between confronting walls of the tool holderreceives a force having a clamping component directed at least generallyperpendicular to the pressing axis. In the present embodiments, the toolhas a seating mechanism adapted for at least partially converting thisforce into a seating component directed at least generally parallel tothe pressing axis. Preferably, the seating mechanism comprises amoveable body mounted on the tool so as to be moveable relative to astationary portion of the tool's shank.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides, in combination, a pressbrake tool and a tool holder of a press brake having a pressing axis. Inthe present embodiments, the tool is operatively mounted on the toolholder. The operatively mounted tool has a shank positioned in atool-mount channel of the tool holder such that the shank is clampedforcibly between confronting walls of the tool holder, the tool's shankthereby receiving from the tool holder a force having a clampingcomponent directed at least generally perpendicular to the pressingaxis. In the present embodiments, the tool has a seating mechanism atleast partially converting this force into a seating component directedat least generally parallel to the pressing axis. In the presentembodiments, the seating mechanism comprises a moveable body mounted onthe tool so as to be moveable relative to a stationary portion of thetool's shank.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of mounting apress brake tool on a tool holder (of a press brake) having a pressingaxis. The tool holder has a tool-mount channel bounded by first andsecond confronting walls. In the present embodiments, the firstconfronting wall of the tool holder is moveable at least in part towardthe second confronting wall of the tool holder. The tool holder has atleast one load-delivering surface (in some embodiments, it is adaptedfor moving the tool, when operatively mounted on the tool holder, alongthe pressing axis). The tool has a shank and at least one load-receivingsurface. In the present embodiments, the tool has a seating mechanismcomprising a moveable body mounted on the tool so as to be moveablerelative to a stationary portion of the tool's shank. The present methodcomprises positioning the tool's shank in the tool-mount channel andmoving the first confronting wall at least in part toward the secondconfronting wall thereby forcibly clamping the tool's shank betweenthese confronting walls so as to deliver to the shank a force that is atleast partially converted by the tool's seating mechanism into a seatingcomponent directed at least generally parallel to the pressing axis.Preferably, the seating component of this force moves the tool relativeto the tool holder so as to bring the load-receiving surface of the toolinto engagement with the load-delivering surface of the tool holder.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a press brake tool havinga shank that is provided with a retractable safety key. Here, the safetykey is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position.Preferably, the safety key is operably coupled with a moveable linkmember such that the safety key moves from its extended position to itsretracted position in response to the link member moving along avertical axis of the tool.

In one group of embodiments, the invention provides a press brake toolhaving a shank adapted for being positioned in a tool-mount channel of atool holder, and a ball member is mounted on the tool so as to bemoveable relative to a stationary portion of the tool's shank. Here, theball member is moveable between an extended position and a retractedposition, and at least a portion of the ball member projects outwardlyfrom the tool's shank when the ball member is in its extended position.In some embodiments of this nature, the ball member comprises a metalsphere. Optionally, the tool's shank has a lateral width and the ballmember is a sphere having a diameter of at least about ⅕^(th) (perhapsmore preferably at least about ¼^(th)) this lateral width. In some ofthe present embodiments, the tool's shank has two generally opposedsidewalls, a portion of the ball member projects outwardly from a firstof these sidewalls when the ball member is in its extended position, anda second of these sidewalls is at least generally planar. Conjointly,the tool can optionally include a load-receiving surface that is atleast generally planar, and this load-receiving surface can optionallybe at least generally perpendicular to the second of the noted sidewallsof the tool's shank. An optional feature in the present group ofembodiments (and in the other embodiments described throughout thepresent specification) is that the tool's shank has a non-cylindricalconfiguration. Optionally, the ball member is housed in a bore of thetool, at least part of a spring member is disposed in this bore, and thespring member is adapted for resiliently biasing, either directly or viaone or more other bodies, the ball member toward its extended position.Conjointly, an elongated link member can optionally be housed in thebore, the elongated link member can optionally have opposed first andsecond end regions, the link member can optionally be slidable in thebore between first and second positions, the ball member can optionallyassume its extended position when the link member is in its firstposition, the ball member can optionally be slidable in the bore betweenits extended and retracted positions, and the spring member optionallybears forcibly against the second end region of the link member toresiliently bias the link member toward its first position. The optionallink member in the bore can, for example, be located between the ballmember and the spring member. The tool can optionally include anactuator that can be operated so as to cause the link member to slide toits second position, thereby overcoming the resilient bias of theoptional spring member and allowing the ball member to move to itsretracted position. When provided, the actuator can optionally comprisea moveable cam body that is adapted to bear forcibly against, and camwith, a cam surface of the link member (when the actuator is operated soas to cause the link member to slide to its second position). Theoptional link member can comprise (e.g., be) an elongated shaft havingtherein formed a notch that defines the cam surface of the link member.In some cases, the link member comprises an elongated shaft having aconcave first end region in which a portion of the ball member is nested(at least when the ball member is in its extended position).

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a press brake toolconfigured for being operatively mounted on a tool holder of a pressbrake having a pressing axis (the tool holder in some, but not all,cases is adapted for moving the tool when operatively mounted on thetool holder along the pressing axis). The tool has a shank adapted forbeing positioned in a tool-mount channel of the tool holder such thatthe shank when clamped forcibly between confronting walls of the toolholder receives a force having a clamping component directed at leastgenerally perpendicular to the pressing axis. In the presentembodiments, the tool has a seating mechanism that is adapted for atleast partially converting this force into a seating component directedat least generally parallel to the pressing axis. Preferably, theseating mechanism comprises a moveable body mounted on the tool so as tobe moveable relative to a stationary portion of the tool's shank. In thepresent embodiments, this moveable body comprising a polymer.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a press brake toolconfigured for being mounted on a tool holder of a press brake by movinga shank of the tool vertically into a tool-mount channel defined by thetool holder. In the present embodiments, the tool is adapted for beingdismounted from the tool holder by moving the tool horizontally out ofthe channel, and the tool is not adapted for being dismounted from thetool holder by moving the tool vertically out of the channel. In theseembodiments, the tool preferably has no externally accessible actuatorfor retracting the safety key such that once the tool's shank is movedinto an operative position in the channel of the tool holder a pressbrake operator is prevented from retracting the safety key and removingthe tool vertically from the tool holder. The press brake has a pressingaxis. In the present embodiments, the tool's shank has a retractablesafety key and is adapted for being positioned in the channel of thetool holder such that the shank when clamped forcibly betweenconfronting walls of the tool holder receives a force having a clampingcomponent directed at least generally perpendicular to the pressingaxis. The tool has a seating mechanism adapted for at least partiallyconverting this force into a seating component directed at leastgenerally parallel to the pressing axis, and the seating mechanismpreferably comprises a moveable body mounted on the tool. In the presentembodiments, the seating component of the noted force preferably isadapted to move the tool relative to the tool holder so as to bring aload-bearing surface of the tool into engagement with a load-bearingsurface of the tool holder. In some embodiments of the present group,the tool is provided in combination with the tool holder, and the toolholder has no externally accessible actuator for causing the tool'ssafety key to retract such that once the tool's shank is moved into theoperative position in the channel of the tool holder the press brakeoperator is prevented from retracting the safety key and removing thetool vertically from the tool holder. Further, in some of the presentembodiments, the tool has a leading body portion that terminates at atip (the leading body portion being that portion of the tool that is notconcealed by the tool holder when the tool's shank is in its operativeposition in the channel of the tool holder), and the leading bodyportion of the tool is defined entirely by solid wall having noopenings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially broken-away schematic side view of a press braketool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away schematic perspective view of a pressbrake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken-away, partially exploded schematicperspective view of a press brake tool in accordance with certainembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded, schematic perspective view of a pressbrake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a wedge member that is provided on apress brake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another wedge member that is provided ona press brake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a safety key that is provided on a pressbrake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an actuator that is provided on a pressbrake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a link member that is provided on apress brake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a partially broken-away perspective view of a press braketool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a partially broken-away perspective view of a press braketool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a partially broken-away side view of a press brake tool, incombination with a press brake tool holder, in accordance with certainembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a partially broken-away schematic side view of a press braketool, in combination with a press brake tool holder, in accordance withcertain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a partially broken-away schematic perspective view of a pressbrake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a partially broken-away schematic side view of a press braketool and a press brake tool holder, in combination, in accordance withcertain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a partially broken-away perspective view of a press braketool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a partially broken-away schematic perspective view of a pressbrake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a partially broken-away schematic perspective view of a pressbrake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a partially broken-away schematic side view of a press braketool and a press brake tool holder, in combination, in accordance withcertain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a partially broken-away perspective view of a press braketool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a broken-away schematic side view of a press brake tool and apress brake tool holder, in combination, in accordance with certainembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a partially broken-away schematic perspective view of a pressbrake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a partially broken-away schematic side view of a press braketool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 24 is a partially broken-away schematic side view of a press braketool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 25 is a partially broken-away schematic side view of a press braketool and a tool holder in accordance with certain embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 26 is a partially broken-away, partially cross-sectional schematicside view of a press brake tool in accordance with certain embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 27 is a partially broken-away perspective view of a press braketool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 28 is a partially broken-away, schematic perspective view of apress brake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 29 is a broken-away, cross-sectional side view of a press braketool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 30 is a partially exploded, cross-sectional perspective view of apress brake tool in accordance with certain embodiments of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention in some embodiments provides a brake press tool incombination with a press brake tool holder. Generally, the tool holderTH defines a channel C configured for receiving the shank S of a pressbrake tool TL. This channel C is referred to herein as the tool-mountchannel. In some embodiments, the tool-mount channel C has a generallyT-shaped cross section, although this is by no means required.Preferably, at least part of the channel C is bounded by two confrontingwalls CW, CW′ of the tool holder. In the illustrated embodiments, theconfronting walls CW, CW′ are at least generally vertical and/or eachdefine at least one surface that is substantially vertical and planar.These features, however, are not required in all embodiments. Forexample, the configuration and construction of the wall(s) bounding thetool-mount channel C will vary depending upon the particular style inwhich the tool holder is embodied.

The tool holder, when provided, will commonly be adapted for use withAmerican style tools. However, the tool holder can take the form ofvarious other tool holder styles known in the art, including thosecurrently in less widespread use. In fact, it will be appreciated thatthe tool holder TH can be adapted for use with any desired toolingstyle, including styles not yet developed, that would benefit from thefeatures of this invention. The tool holder, of course, can be a pressbrake beam, an adaptor mounted to a press brake beam, or any other typeof press brake tool holder.

The press brake tool TL can be a male forming punch or a female formingdie. Typically, the tool TL has generally opposed first and second ends(or sides). Preferably, the first end (or side) of the tool defines aworkpiece-deforming surface TP (e.g., at a tip of the tool) configuredfor making a desired deformation (e.g., a bend) in a workpiece when thissurface TP is forced against the workpiece (e.g., when a tip of the toolis forced against a piece of sheet metal or the like, and/or when aworkpiece is forced against the tool's tip). The second end (or side) ofthe tool has a shank (or “tang”) S configured for being mounted in(e.g., sized and shaped to be received in) the tool-mount channel C.

In some cases, the tool TL has a safety key SK. As shown in FIGS. 1-4,10, and 15-18, the shank S of the tool TL can optionally have a safetykey SK adapted for engaging a safety recess (or “safety groove”) SR,and/or moving into alignment with a safety shelf SCS, defined by thetool holder TH. When provided, the safety key SK can be retractable ornon-retractable. Safety keys of both types are described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,467,327 (Runk et al.), and U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/742,439, entitled “Press Brake Tooling Technology”, the entirecontents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments involving a tool TL with a safety key SK, the keypreferably comprises an engagement portion 580 that is adapted toproject into a safety recess SR (and/or into alignment with a safetyshelf SCS) defined by the tool holder TH. In the case of anon-retractable safety key, the key will typically comprise a rigidprojection from the tool's shank. When provided, the non-retractablesafety key preferably is either integral to the tool's shank or rigidlyjoined to the tool's shank.

In the case of a retractable safety key, the key is mounted on the toolso as to be moveable between an extended position and a retractedposition. In more detail, such a key preferably comprises a rigidengagement portion 580 that is moveable relative to (e.g., generallytoward and away from) the tool's shank (or at least relative tostationary portions of the shank). Such retractable safety keys aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,327 and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/742,439. In some cases, the safety key is part of a key assembly(e.g., mounted inside and/or on the tool) comprising at least one springmember resiliently biasing (directly or via one or more link membersand/or other bodies) the safety key SK toward its extended position.

Thus, in some embodiments, the tool holder defines a safety recess SR.When provided, the safety recess SR preferably is sized to receive anengagement portion 580 of a desired safety key SK. In some embodimentsinvolving a tool TL with its shank S received in the channel C of a toolholder TH, the tool holder has a safety recess SR that is at the sameelevation as a safety key SK on the tool. Some embodiments of thisnature (such as that shown in FIG. 15) provide a tool TL having a safetykey SK projecting generally away from the shank S of the tool andengaged with (e.g., extending into) the safety recess SR of the toolholder, such that an engagement portion 580 of the safety key isreceived in the safety recess (and/or is positioned directly above asafety shelf SCS of the tool holder).

Thus, certain embodiments provide a tool holder and tool in combination.In some of these embodiments, the second end of the tool has a shank Sreceived in the tool holder's channel C. As noted above, the channel Cis typically bounded at least in part by two confronting walls CW, CW′of the tool holder. In many combination embodiments, the tool's firstend (which typically defines a tip) projects (e.g., generallyvertically) away from the tool holder.

Typically, the tool holder TH has at least one load-delivering surfaceLD configured for engaging a load-receiving surface LR of a press braketool TL. Preferably, the tool holder TH has one or more generally orsubstantially horizontal load-delivering surfaces LD each being adaptedto engage and deliver force to (when the tool is operatively mounted onthe tool holder) one or more corresponding generally or substantiallyhorizontal load-receiving surfaces LR of the tool TL. In someembodiments involving a tool in combination with (and operativelymounted on) a tool holder, the tool holder has a load-delivering surfaceLD engaged with (e.g., carried directly against) a load-receivingsurface LR of the tool TL. Preferably, these engaged surfaces LD and LRare generally or substantially horizontal. In some cases, the toolholder TH has two horizontal load-delivering surfaces LD. For example,FIGS. 15, 19, and 21 depict tool holders of this nature, wherein twoload-delivering surfaces LD are separated by an opening of thetool-mount channel C. Here, the channel C is depicted as beingdownwardly open. The invention, however, also provides embodiments wherethe channel C is upwardly open (e.g., embodiments where the tool holderis used to secure a die on the lower beam of a press brake). The termsload-delivering and load-receiving, where used in the present detaileddescription, can each be replaced with the term load-bearing.

The illustrated load-delivering surfaces LD of the tool holder areconfigured for engaging, and delivering force to, correspondingload-receiving surfaces LR of the tool TL. In the figures, thehorizontal load-delivering surfaces LD of the tool holder TH are shownas being downwardly facing surfaces, and the horizontal load-receivingsurfaces LR of the tool are shown as being upwardly facing surfaces. Inother embodiments (e.g., where the tool holder is on a lower beam), thehorizontal load-delivering surface(s) LD of the tool holder is/areupwardly facing, and the horizontal load-receiving surface(s) of thetool is/are downwardly facing. Thus, the invention provides variouscombination embodiments wherein the shank of a tool is operativelymounted in the channel of the tool holder such that each load-deliveringsurface of the tool holder is generally or substantially horizontal andis carried directly against a corresponding generally or substantiallyhorizontal load-receiving surface of the tool.

In certain embodiments, the tool holder TH is adapted for forcing thetool TL (e.g., when the tool is operatively mounted on the tool holder)against a workpiece by delivering force from the load-deliveringsurface(s) LD of the tool holder to the load-receiving surface(s) LR ofthe tool. The tool holder may move the tool into contact with theworkpiece, or it may hold the tool in a stationary position while theworkpiece is forced into contact with the tool, e.g., the upper or lowerbeam of a press brake may be moveable depending upon the press brakeused. Either way, the press brake will have a pressing axis. Moreover, atool holder is to be considered to have a pressing axis, even if itholds the tool in a stationary position during pressing operations. Insome preferred embodiments, the tool holder TH is adapted for moving theoperatively mounted tool TL along the pressing axis PA (shown in FIG.15), e.g., during a pressing operation. For example, the tool holder THcan optionally be adapted for moving the tool TL in a pressing directionPD (shown in FIG. 19) that is generally or substantially normal to theload-delivering surface(s) LD of the tool holder. In preferredembodiments of this nature, each load-delivering surface LD of the toolholder TH is generally or substantially horizontal, and the tool holderis adapted for moving the tool TL in a generally or substantiallyvertical direction. Accordingly, the tool holder in these embodiments isadapted for moving the tool vertically into and out of engagement with aworkpiece (e.g., when the workpiece is secured in a working positionbetween the upper and lower tables of the press brake).

In some embodiments, the tool holder is operably coupled to a pressbrake ram that is adapted for moving the tool holder and the operativelymounted tool together so as to force the workpiece-deforming surface ofthe tool against a workpiece. Preferably, the ram (which can beincorporated into, or otherwise operably coupled with, a bed BE of thepress brake) is adapted for moving the tool holder TH and tool TLtogether in a pressing direction PD that is generally or substantiallynormal to the load-delivering surface(s) LD of the tool holder (e.g., ina vertical direction). In other embodiments, the tool holder is notadapted for moving the operatively mounted tool, but rather is designedfor securing the tool in a stationary position during pressingoperations.

Preferably, the tool holder TH has a closed configuration and an openconfiguration. When the tool holder TH is in its open configuration, theshank S of a press brake tool TL can be moved into and out of the toolholder's channel C. When the tool holder TH is in its closedconfiguration, the shank S of a tool TL mounted in the tool holder'schannel C is clamped forcibly (and held rigidly) against a wall CW ofthe tool holder.

The tool holder TH can optionally have a moveable face plate MP, jaw,clamping pin, or the like, which preferably defines at least part of oneCW′ of the confronting walls CW, CW′. In moving such a tool holder toits closed configuration, the moveable plate MP, jaw, pin, etc.desirably moves toward the other CW of the confronting walls CW, CW′.When such a tool holder moves to its open configuration, the moveableplate MP, jaw, pin, etc. desirably moves away from the other wall CW.For example, the tool holders shown in FIGS. 15 and 19 include a faceplate MP that can be moved selectively toward or away from the toolholder body CB (which may or may not be moveable laterally) that definesthe wall CW.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a press brake tool TLconfigured for being operatively mounted on a press brake tool holder TH(optionally one that is adapted for moving the tool, when operativelymounted on the tool holder, along a pressing axis PA). The tool TL has ashank S that is adapted for being positioned in a tool-mount channel Cof the tool holder TH such that the shank when clamped forcibly betweenconfronting walls CW, CW′ of the tool holder receives a force having aclamping component directed at least generally perpendicular to thepressing axis PA. In some of the present embodiments, the tool TL has aseating mechanism SM that is adapted for at least partially convertingthis force (during at least a certain period, such as an initial ormiddle period, of the clamping) into a seating component directed atleast generally parallel to the pressing axis PA. The seating componentcan optionally be a generally or substantially vertical (e.g., upward)force component, and the clamping component can optionally be agenerally or substantially horizontal force component. In some cases,once the tool's shank is fully clamped between the walls CW, CW′ of thetool holder, the walls CW, CW′ apply only a horizontal force on thetool's shank.

Thus, a seating mechanism SM can optionally be incorporated into thetool TL. Such embodiments extend to any press brake tool having aseating mechanism built into (and/or provided on) the tool itself.Embodiments of this nature can employ a variety of advantageous seatingmechanisms. Preferably, the seating mechanism SM comprises a moveablebody MB mounted on the tool TL (optionally so as to be moveable relativeto a stationary portion SP of the tool's shank S). The moveable body MBin some embodiments is mounted on the tool so as to be moveable (atleast in part) in both vertical and lateral directions relative to otherportions (e.g., stationary portions SP) of the tool's shank S. Themoveable body preferably bears forcibly against a portion (e.g., a camsurface) of the tool's shank, and thereby delivers at least the seatingcomponent of the noted force to the tool's shank, in response to theconfronting walls of the tool holder being clamped forcibly on thetool's shank.

In some cases, the seating mechanism comprises a moveable body (andoptionally two such moveable bodies) contacted directly by the toolholder when the confronting walls CW, CW′ clamp forcibly on the tool'sshank. A moveable body of this nature can optionally have a dimension(e.g., a major dimension) that is at least ⅕^(th) (perhaps preferably atleast ¼^(th), perhaps more preferably at least ⅓^(rd), and in some casesat least ½) of the lateral width of the tool's shank S.

In certain embodiments, the seating mechanism SM includes a moveablebody MB comprising a wedge member WM. The wedge member will commonlyhave two surfaces CS, WC that are generally opposed and oriented at anoblique angle (such as between 5 degrees and 45 degrees) relative toeach other. The wedge member WM, for example, can optionally have atleast one portion with a generally triangular cross-sectionalconfiguration (optionally a cross section taken along a plane lying inboth the “x” axis and the “y” axis of the tool). The wedge member WM canbe mounted on the tool so that at least a portion (optionally a portionwith a generally triangular cross section) of the wedge member iscarried alongside a cam surface CM of the tool's shank. The wedge memberpreferably is adapted to (e.g., in response to the tool holder'sconfronting walls being clamped forcibly on the tool's shank) bearforcibly against, and cam with, a cam surface CM of the tool's shank(e.g., so as to cause relative movement of the wedge member and the camsurface CM). The cam surface CM can optionally be defined by astationary portion (i.e., a portion that does not move relative to theload-receiving surface(s) LR of the tool and/or relative to a tip of thetool) SP of the tool's shank S. This surface CM can be offset fromvertical by an angle of greater than 0 degrees but less than 30 degrees,if so desired.

When provided, the wedge member WM preferably is mounted on the tool TLso that a contact surface CS of the wedge member is adapted to beengaged by one of the confronting walls CW, CW′ of the tool holder THwhen the tool's shank S is forcibly clamped between these walls CW, CW′.In some cases, the contact surface CS is generally or substantiallyplanar. The wedge member WM desirably also includes a cam surface WC.Preferably, this surface WC of the wedge member WM is carried againstthe cam surface CM of the tool's shank S. In FIGS. 1 and 3-6, thecontact surface CS of the wedge member WM is generally opposed to thecam surface WC of the wedge member. A variety of wedge memberconfigurations can be used, as described below in further detail.

In some embodiments, the seating mechanism SM comprises at least one rodmember RM. Reference is made to FIGS. 27-30. Here, each rod member RMcomprises an elongated rod, pin, shaft, and/or block. The rod member RMpreferably is slidably mounted in a bore defined by the tool, optionallyso as to be slidable axially between first and second positions. Asshown in FIG. 29, a rod member RM of this nature can be resilientlybiased toward it first position (the exemplary rod member in FIG. 29 isillustrated in such a first position), which can optionally be aposition in which one end (e.g., an end that defines a contact surfaceCS) of the rod member protrudes/projects out of the bore. Here, when therod member RM is in its second position (as it would be once the tool'sshank is fully clamped by a tool holder), it preferably is fullyretracted inside the bore. The rod member can be retained in the bore,for example, by virtue of a locking ring, clip, etc. In FIG. 29, the rodmember is mounted in a blind bore with a spring compressed between aback end of the rod member and a wall defining the blind end of thebore. These details, however, are by no means required.

In certain preferred embodiments, the seating mechanism SM comprises twomoveable bodies MB mounted at least in part on opposite sides of thetool's shank S. In some cases, these two moveable bodies MB are mountedon the tool TL such that they can both be moved (e.g., in part or intheir entirety) simultaneously toward or away from each other and/or ingenerally opposite directions (e.g., directions that are opposite atleast in terms of their lateral/x axis component, if not directlyopposite). Here, both bodies MB are optionally contacted directly by thetool holder TH when the tool's shank S is clamped forcibly between theconfronting walls, CW, CW′ of the tool holder. In some cases, the bodiesMB define opposed contact surfaces CS (which optionally are at leastgenerally planar) that are contacted respectively by the confrontingwalls CW and CW′ of the tool holder during clamping. FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 12,13, 16-18, 22-28, and 29 depict exemplary embodiments involving twomoveable bodies MB mounted at least in part on opposite sides of thetool's shank S. In these embodiments, when the confronting walls of thetool holder clamp forcibly on the tool's shank, the moveable bodiesdesirably coact with the tool's shank so as to deliver to the shank aseating force component. Preferably, this clamping action causes bothbodies MB to move relative to a stationary portion SP of the shank. Insome cases, the moveable bodies move closer together (e.g., at leasttheir contact surfaces may move closer together) in response to suchclamping (while at the same time optionally moving at least generallyvertically relative to stationary portions of the tool's shank S). Thisis the case, for example, when both moveable bodies are wedge members ofthe type exemplified in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 23, and 24. In some cases, atleast one of the moveable bodies MB rotates in response to the tool'sshank being clamped forcibly between the confronting walls of the toolholder. This is the case, for example, with the exemplary embodimentsdepicted in FIGS. 12-14, 16-18, and 25. In FIGS. 27-28 and 30, theseating mechanism SM comprises two rod members RM mounted so as to havecontact surfaces CS on opposite sides of the tool's shank S.

In one group of embodiments, the seating mechanism SM comprises twowedge members WM. Reference is made to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 23, and 24. Here,it can be appreciated that each wedge member preferably has a contactsurface CS (optionally being at least generally planar) adapted forbeing engaged by one of the confronting walls CW, CW′ of the tool holderTH when these walls clamp forcibly upon the tool's shank S. In FIG. 1,the two wedge members WM are mounted on the tool so that the contactsurfaces CS of the wedge members are disposed on (e.g., carried adjacentto) opposite sides of the tool's shank S. Preferably, the wedge membersare adapted to bear forcibly against, and cam with, respective camsurfaces CM of the tool's shank S in response to the confronting wallsCW, CW′ of the tool holder TH clamping forcibly on opposite sides of thetool's shank. This camming action desirably results in the toolreceiving a force with a seating component that is of a magnitude atleast equal to the weight of the tool, such that if the tool is on theupper beam of the press brake this force component is sufficient to liftthe tool upwardly until the load-receiving surface(s) of the toolcome(s) into direct contact with the corresponding load-deliveringsurface(s) of the tool holder, at which point upward movement of thetool is stopped (due to the noted engagement of the load-bearingsurfaces).

The seating mechanism in some embodiments can have an extendedconfiguration and a retracted configuration. For example, the opposedcontact surfaces CS of two wedge members WM may be further apart whenthe seating mechanism is in its extended configuration than when theseating mechanism is in its retracted configuration. Thus, when theconfronting walls CW, CW′ of the tool holder TH clamp forcibly on thetool's shank S, the opposed contact surfaces CS of such wedge members WMcan be forced to move closer together.

In the illustrated wedge embodiments, each of the cam surfaces CM on thetool's shank S is defined by a slanted wall. Conjointly, each of theillustrated wedge cam surfaces WC is defined by a slanted wall of awedge member WM. These features, however, are not required. If sodesired, the tool's shank S can have a cam surface CM defined by aradiused or curved wall, and/or the wedge member can have a cam surfaceWC defined by a radiused or curved wall.

In some cases, each cam surface CM on the tool's shank S faces generallyaway from a vertical axis passing through a lateral midpoint of thetool's shank (“VAD” in FIG. 23). For example, when the tool has twomoveable bodies MB mounted at least in part on opposite sides of thetool's shank S, these bodies MB can advantageously be carried (at leastin part) alongside respective cam surfaces CM of the tool's shank, andthese cam surfaces CM can face generally away from the noted axis VADand/or away from each other. These features, however, are by no meansrequired.

As exemplified in FIGS. 12-14, 16-18, and 25, the seating mechanism SMcan optionally comprise at least one wheel member WH. When provided,each wheel member WH can optionally be mounted on the tool's shank S soas to be moveable rotatably (optionally about a longitudinally-extendingaxis, i.e., an axis parallel to the tool's “z” axis) relative to astationary portion SP of the tool's shank. Each wheel member, forexample, can be mounted on an axle AX that provides a desired range oflinear (e.g., lateral) movement for the wheel/axle. This is perhaps bestappreciated with reference to FIG. 25. Here, a spring member 299 isdisposed between the respective axles AX of the two wheel members WH,and each axle AX is slidably received in a slot SOT defined by thetool's shank. Thus, the illustrated wheel members can be moved laterally(and in the process the axles slide laterally in the slots SOT). Withthis type of arrangement, the two wheel members WH are resilientlybiased away from each other by the spring member 299. Preferably, whenthe tool's shank S is clamped forcibly between confronting walls CW, CW′of the tool holder TH, the force applied to the tool by the clamping ofthese walls CW, CW on the wheels WH has a seating component that is atleast generally parallel to the pressing axis.

In some embodiments involving a rotatable member (e.g., a wheel,rotatable pin, etc.) mounted on the shank S of a press brake tool TL,the rotatable member has a diameter. This diameter can optionally be atleast ⅕^(th) the lateral width of the tool's shank, and perhaps morepreferably at least ¼^(th) of the lateral width of the tool's shank.

In FIGS. 12, 13, and 25, the illustrated tool TL is provided incombination with a tool holder TH having at least one wall portion CWAconfigured such that when it contacts a wheel member WH on the tool'sshank (as an adjunct of the confronting walls CW, CW′ clamping forciblyon the tool's shank), the force delivered to the shank via the wheelmember has a seating component (e.g., an upward component) that causesthe tool to move relative to the tool holder so as to bring theload-receiving surface(s) of the tool into direct contact with theload-delivering surface(s) of the tool holder. The wall portion CWA canoptionally define an angled, radiused, or curved surface. In FIGS. 12,13, and 25, the wall portion CWA extends at an angle relative to theadjacent load-delivering surface LD of the tool holder, and this angleis not 90 degrees, but rather is offset from 90 degrees (e.g., by atleast about 2 degrees, at least about 3 degrees, or at least about 4degrees).

With reference to FIG. 14, it can be appreciated that some embodimentsprovide a seating mechanism SM that includes a wedge member WM and awheel member WH. Here, the illustrated wedge member WM and wheel memberWH project in part from opposite sides of the tool's shank. That is, theillustrated wedge member WM projects in part from one side of the tool'sshank, and the illustrated wheel member WH projects in part from anopposite side of the shank (at least when the seating mechanism is inits extended configuration).

Thus, the seating mechanism SM preferably includes at least one moveablebody MB that is adapted to bear forcibly against a portion of the tool'sshank (thereby delivering at least a seating component of force to thetool's shank) in response to the confronting walls of the tool holderbeing clamped forcibly on opposite sides of the tool's shank.Preferably, the resulting seating component is of a magnitude at leastequal to the weight of the tool, such that if the tool is on the upperbeam of the press brake this force component is sufficient lift the toolupwardly until the load-receiving surface(s) of the tool come(s) intodirect contact with the corresponding load-delivering surface(s) of thetool holder, at which point upward movement of the tool is stopped (dueto the noted engagement of the load-bearing surfaces). Severalembodiments of this nature have been described.

FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment wherein the seating mechanism SM comprisesa positioner PO mounted on the tool's shank S. The illustratedpositioner PO has a generally “H”-shaped cross-sectional configuration,although this is by no means required. The illustrated positioner POcomprises an elongated neck portion NP connecting two web portions WPT.The neck portion NP extends through a lateral opening passing throughthe tool's shank, and each web portion WPT extends in a direction thatis at least generally perpendicular to the neck portion NP. The neckportion connects respective midpoints of the two web portions WPT. Theweb portions WPT (by virtue of their connection to the neck portion NPextending through the lateral opening in the tool's shank) keep thepositioner PO on the tool's shank. Preferably, the distance between thetwo web portions WPT (i.e., the length of the neck portion) is slightlygreater than the lateral width of the tool's shank. This gives thepositioner PO some freedom to move laterally relative to stationaryportions of the tool's shank. The positioner PO preferably also has somefreedom to move along the tool's “y” axis (which is also referred toherein as the tool's vertical axis) relative to stationary portions ofthe tool's shank. Thus, the neck portion NP of the positioner preferablyhas some play in the opening in which it is mounted.

The tool holder in FIG. 15 has a moveable face plate MP defining anangled or radiused cam surface AS that is adapted to bear forciblyagainst, and cam with, a shoulder SH of the positioner PO. This cammingaction (when initiated at such time as the tool is retained loosely inthe channel C by virtue of the safety key SK hanging on the safety shelfSCS) causes the positioner to move away from the tip of the tool (e.g.,upwardly). This brings the neck portion NP of the positioner PO to bearforcibly upon a lifting surface LS of the tool's shank, which in turncauses the tool's shank to move in such a way that the load-receivingsurfaces LR of the tool TL come into engagement with the load-deliveringsurfaces LD of the tool holder TH. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, thisinvolves the tool moving upwardly until the load-bearing surfaces LR, LDof the tool and tool holder are seated directly against one another.

In certain embodiments, the press brake tool TL has a seating mechanismSM and a retractable safety key SK. When provided, the retractablesafety key SK is adapted for engaging a safety recess SR, and/or movinginto alignment with a safety shelf SCS, of the tool holder TH.

In embodiments wherein the seating mechanism SM comprises a wedge memberWM, the wedge member can be provided in a variety of configurations. Oneconfiguration is shown in FIG. 3. Here, it can be appreciated that eachwedge member WM includes a wedge portion WP and a neck portion WNP.Preferably, the wedge portion WP is that part of the wedge member WMthat defines the contact surface CS and is adapted to be engaged by oneof the confronting walls of the tool holder when such walls are clampedon the tool's shank S. With continued reference to FIG. 3, it can beappreciated that the wedge portion WP has a small-thickness region and alarge-thickness region. In some cases, the thickness (e.g., the lateralthickness) of the wedge portion WP gradually increases moving from thesmall-thickness region to the large-thickness region. The wedge portionWP in FIG. 3, for example, has a generally triangular cross-sectionalconfiguration. This particular wedge member WM is assembled on the toolso that the large-thickness region is located closer to the tool's tipthan is the small-thickness region.

As noted above, each wedge member WM preferably has a contact surface CSadapted for being engaged by the tool holder. In the illustrated wedgeembodiments, the contact surface CS is a generally planar surface which,when the wedge member WM is assembled on the tool, is generally parallelto the vertical axis of the tool and/or is generally perpendicular tothe load-receiving surface(s) of the tool. The contact surface CS ofeach wedge member WM can optionally face generally away from a “y” axispassing through a lateral midpoint of the tool's shank. Each wedgemember WM preferably has a cam surface WC that is oriented at an anglerelative to the vertical axis of the tool and/or relative to the contactsurface CS of the wedge member. Thus, in some wedge embodiments, eachwedge member WM has a contact surface CS and a cam surface WC, and thesesurfaces are not parallel, but rather are offset from parallel by anacute angle, which preferably is at least about 2 degrees, morepreferably at least about 3 degrees, and perhaps optimally at leastabout 4 degrees (e.g., greater than 5 degrees). In one particularembodiment, this angle is about 13 degrees.

In connection with the neck portion WNP of the wedge member designsshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it can be appreciated that such a neck portionWNP can be provided to facilitate mounting the wedge member WM on thetool. Here, the neck portion WNP of the wedge member WM defines a grooveWG. Referring to FIG. 4, it can be appreciated that the illustrated toolTL has a link member LM extending along the tool's “y” axis, and aportion LP of this link member LM is adapted to be received in thegroove WG defined by the neck WNP of the wedge member WM. With continuedreference to FIG. 4, when the illustrated wedge members WM are assembledon the tool, the narrow portion LP of the link member LM is retained inthe groove WG of each wedge member WM, and the relative dimensioning ofthe narrow portion LP of the link member LM and each groove WG is suchthat each wedge member WM has a desired range of freedom to movelaterally until a lip WL of such wedge member WM butts up against thenarrow portion LP of the link member LM. These and other optional linkmember features are described below in further detail.

FIGS. 5 and 6 provide detailed illustrations of two exemplary wedgemembers WM. Each of these wedge members WM has a wedge portion WP and aneck portion WNP. The neck portion WNP can be omitted if so desired. Forexample, the wedge portion can alternatively be mounted movably on thetool's shank by a key-like structure (e.g., extending from the wedgeportion) that rides slidably in a slot, channel, etc. (e.g., defined bythe tool's shank). The wedge portion in FIG. 6 has a rounded bottomportion RBP, whereas the bottom of the wedge portion WP in FIG. 5 isgenerally planar. It is to be appreciated that many other wedgeconfigurations can be used to provide tool seating functionality.

FIG. 11 depicts another wedge configuration that can be used tofacilitate tool seating. Here, the shank S of the tool TL is providedwith a single (i.e., only one) wedge member WM. This wedge member WM hasa contact surface CS that is adapted to be engaged by one of theconfronting walls CW, CW′ of the tool holder TH when such walls clampforcibly upon the tool's shank. This clamping action causes the wedgemember WM to bear forcibly against, and cam with, a cam surface CM ofthe tool's shank, thereby delivering to the shank a force having aseating component. The contact surface CS forms an included angle (whichcan optionally be about 90 degrees) with another external surface ES ofthe wedge member WM. Both of these surfaces CS, ES can optionally beadapted to contact the tool holder TH when the tool TL is clampedoperatively by the tool holder. In the illustrated embodiment, thecontact surface CS is a generally vertical surface and the otherexternal surface ES is a generally horizontal surface, although this isby no means required.

In FIG. 11, the illustrated wedge member WM is mounted moveably on thetool TL by virtue of a male projection (e.g., a rod) RD, which extendsfrom the wedge member and is received slidably in a bore extending intothe body of the tool. If so desired, a plurality of wedge members WM ofthis type (or of any other type described herein) can be disposed atlongitudinally spaced apart locations on the tool's shank. This may beparticularly desirable for a long tool. Further, wedge members of thetype shown in FIG. 11 can be positioned on both sides of the tool'sshank, if so desired. Still further, one or more wedge members of thistype can be provided on the shank of a press brake tool in combinationwith one or more wheel members of the type described above. As yetanother option, one or more wedge members of the type shown in FIG. 11can be disposed on the shank of a tool that also is provided with one ormore wedge members of the type shown in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary embodiment wherein the tool TL has aseating mechanism SM and a retractable safety key SK that is offsetlongitudinally (i.e., along the tool's longitudinal or “z” axis) fromthe seating mechanism SM. In other embodiments, the safety key SK is atsubstantially the same longitudinal location as the seating mechanismSM. In some cases, the tool TL is provided with a plurality of safetykeys spaced apart longitudinally on the tool's shank, and respectiveseating mechanisms are provided at the same longitudinal locations asthe safety keys.

FIGS. 1-4 depict one manner in which a link member LM can be used in atool TL having both a seating mechanism SM and a retractable safety keySK. Here, the link member LM is mechanically linked with the illustratedwedge members WM in such a way that each wedge member WM has a limitedrange of freedom to move laterally. This can be accomplished with avariety of link member configurations.

In embodiments like those exemplified by FIGS. 1-4, the link member LMis operably coupled with the safety key SK so that the safety key (or aportion thereof) moves laterally along the “x” axis of the tool (e.g.,horizontally) in response to the link member (or a portion thereof)moving along the “y” axis of the tool TL (e.g., vertically). Forexample, the safety key SK desirably retracts in response to the linkmember moving in a desired direction (e.g., toward the tip of the tool)along the “y” axis of the tool TL. In FIGS. 1-4, the safety key ismovable between an extended position and a retracted position, the linkmember is moveable between a first position and a second position, thesafety key moves to its retracted position in response to the linkmember moving to its second position, and the safety key moves to itsextended position in response to the link member moving to its firstposition. Various embodiments of this nature can be provided.

FIG. 9 details one link member configuration that can optionally beused. Here, the link member comprises a rigid rod (optionally oneadapted for axial movement relative to a stationary portion of thetool's shank). This particular link member has two portions: a baseportion LBP and a narrow portion LP. Preferably, these two portions aremachined from (and formed by) one integral piece of material (e.g.,metal), although they can alternatively be separate components joinedtogether to form the link member. The narrow portion LP of such a linkmember can be operably coupled with one or more wedge members (e.g., soas to limit the lateral range of movement of the wedge member(s), asnoted above). The base portion LBP can be operably coupled with anactuator A that can be operated so as to cause the safety key SK toretract and/or extend, as described below.

The link member LM, when provided, can be resiliently biased toward afirst position (e.g., away from the tip of the tool). For example, oneor more spring members SPM can be provided to apply to the link memberLM a spring force urging the link member toward its first position. Thisis perhaps best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, where the illustrated springbears against the bottom surface LBS (shown in FIG. 9) of the linkmember LM. This resilient biasing of the link member LM keeps the safetykey SK in its extended position (unless the link member is forced out ofits first position). Further, this resilient biasing can optionally keepthe seating mechanism in an expanded configuration, as described below.

In FIGS. 1-4, the illustrated link member LM is operably coupled with aselectively-operable actuator A. Preferably, the actuator A is adaptedfor being operated at a desired time so as to move the link member toits second position, thereby moving the safety key SK to its retractedposition. Here, the actuator A comprises an externally-accessibleportion AA, which preferably is manually operable (e.g., manuallydepressible). The illustrated actuator A has a cam surface PCS that isadapted to bear forcibly against, and cam with, the link member inresponse to the actuator A being operated (e.g., in response to a pressbrake operator depressing the externally-accessible portion AA of theactuator). This camming action forces the link member LM to move to itssecond position (overcoming the force of the optional spring SPM), whichin turn causes the safety key SK to retract.

As is perhaps best seen in FIG. 1, the illustrated actuator A has atapered end region TP. When the tool is assembled, this tapered endregion TP projects into a slot LSL defined by the link member LM.Preferably, when the actuator A is operated, at least a portion thereofmoves (e.g., axially) inside, or further inside, the body B of the toolTL. With reference to FIG. 1, it can be appreciated that depressing theexternally-accessible portion AA of the illustrated actuator A causes atleast part of that portion AA to move inside the body B of the tool(e.g., into a lateral bore formed in the tool's body). This causes aplunger portion PP of the actuator A to move (e.g., further inside thebody B of the tool) in such a way that the cam surface PCS of theactuator A (which in the illustrated embodiment is defined by thetapered end region TP) bears forcibly against, and cams with, acorner/edge LCR of the link member LM, thereby causing the link memberto move (e.g., axially and/or toward the tip of the tool) to its secondposition. While this type of arrangement is advantageous, various linkmember/actuator arrangements can be used.

The link member LM, when provided, can optionally be configured forbiasing the seating mechanism SM toward its extended configuration. Forexample, a portion of the link member can have a ridge with an apex andsloped side surfaces diverging respectively away from the apex. The apexof such a ridge can optionally be that portion of the ridge that isfurthest from the tool's tip. When such a link member moves toward itsfirst position (e.g., due to the bias of a spring SPM), the sloped sidesurfaces of the ridge can engage respective lips WP of two wedge membersWM. As the link member LM continues moving to its first position, thewedge members WM ride on the respective sloped side surfaces of theridge, forcing the wedge members outwardly (e.g., away from each other).With such an arrangement, the seating mechanism SM is kept in itsextended configuration unless the actuator A is operated (e.g.,depressed), or the tool holder is clamp forcibly on the tool's shank, orthe wedge members are otherwise forced to move inwardly toward eachanother. This type of arrangement tends to keep the wedge members in adefault position where they are located as far from the tool's tip as isallowed by their range of movement. These features, however, are by nomeans required.

Reference will now be made to a group of embodiments involving a pressbrake tool that may or may not include a seating and/or locatingmechanism. Here, the invention provides a tool having a shank that isprovided with a retractable safety key. The safety key, which ismoveable between an extended position and a retracted position, isoperably coupled with a moveable link member such that the safety keymoves from its extended position to its retracted position in responseto the link member moving (e.g., axially) along a vertical axis of thetool. Exemplary embodiments including a seating and/or locatingmechanism have been described. However, some embodiments in the presentgroup do not have such a mechanism.

In the present group of embodiments, the link member can optionallycomprise at least one rigid rod member. For example, a link member LM ofthe type shown in FIG. 9 can be used. Here, the link member LM has abase portion LBP (which optionally has a generally circular or ovalcross section) and a narrow portion LP (which optionally has a generallysquare or rectangular cross section). A link member of this nature canoptionally define a notch LSL to facilitate operably coupling the linkmember LM with an actuator A, as noted above.

Preferably, the link member is moveable between a first position and asecond position, the safety key moves to its retracted position inresponse to the link member moving to its second position, and thesafety key moves to its extended position in response to the link membermoving to its first position. If so desired, the link member can beresiliently biased by a spring member SPM toward its first position.Conjointly, the link member can be operably coupled with aselectively-operable actuator. As noted above, an actuator A of thisnature can be adapted for being operated at a desired time so as toovercome the resilient bias of the spring member SPM and move the linkmember to its second position thereby moving the safety key to itsretracted position.

In certain embodiments of the present group, the safety key SK isoperably coupled with the link member LM by virtue of a male projectionRD of the link member that is slidably received in a slot SLT defined bythe safety key. When provided, this slot can advantageously beconfigured to extend at an angle relative to both the “x” axis and the“y” axis of the tool. The angle of such a slot SLT can be varied asdesired. In one embodiment, the slot SLT extends at an angle of about 45degrees relative to the “x” axis of the tool. Alternatively, the slotSLT can be parallel, or substantially parallel, to the vertical axis ofthe tool, such that the safety key stays in an extended position as thelink member moves along the vertical axis of the tool. The noted maleprojection can be a pin PN (e.g., extending from the link member)slidably received in the elongated slot defined by the safety key. If sodesired, the safety key SK can be resiliently biased by a spring member199 in such way that the safety key SK is urged toward its extendedposition. Reference is made to FIGS. 23 and 24.

The invention provides one group of embodiments wherein the tool TL hasa seating mechanism and/or a locating mechanism (e.g., of any typedescribed above) in combination with a click-in/slide-out design. Here,the tool is adapted for being mounted on a tool holder by moving thetool vertically into a channel defined by the tool holder, and for beingdismounted from the tool holder by moving the tool horizontally (i.e.,by sliding the tool lengthwise) out of the channel. Press brake tools ofthis nature are referred to herein as click-in/slide-out tools.Preferably, when these tools are mounted in the tool holder they producean audible “click” sound upon reaching their operative position. Inpreferred embodiments, this sound results when the safety key(s) on thetool snaps into place in a safety slot defined by the tool holder. It isto be understood that this audible clicking is an optional feature,which is by no means required.

Some existing press brake tools are adapted for both vertical mounting(i.e., mounting by moving the tool vertically into the channel of thetool holder) and vertical dismounting (i.e., dismounting by moving thetool vertically out of this channel). Vertical dismounting has thedisadvantage that it suddenly releases the full weight of the tool onthe operator. This can be less than ideal in some cases, such as whenparticularly heavy tools are used. In contrast, the embodiments of thepresent group provide a tool that is not adapted for being dismounted bymoving the tool vertically out of the tool holder's channel. Rather,this tool is adapted to prevent vertical dismounting.

In the present embodiment group, the tool has a retractable safety key,and the tool T is not adapted for being dismounted from the tool holderby moving the tool vertically out of the channel. Rather, the tool isadapted to prevent such vertical dismounting. In certain embodiments,this is accomplished by providing a tool that has no externallyaccessible actuator for retracting the safety key. Further, someembodiments provide a tool of this nature in combination with a toolholder that has no device for retracting the safety key (once it hasbeen extended into/engaged with a safety groove/recess of the toolholder). Thus, once the tool's shank is moved into its operativeposition in the channel of the tool holder a press brake operator isprevented from retracting the safety key and removing the toolvertically from the tool holder. As a result, the tool T is designed toprevent vertical removal and to only allow removal by sliding the toollengthwise (i.e., longitudinally) out of the channel C of the toolholder. Further details of click-in/slide-out tools are described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,021,116, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIG. 30 depicts one exemplary embodiment of a click-in/slide-out toolhaving a seating mechanism SM. Here, the seating mechanism comprises aplurality of rod members RM. The seating mechanism, however, canalternatively comprise one or more wedge members and/or any othertype(s) of moveable seating bodies described above. For example, anotherembodiment involves an arrangement like that shown in FIG. 30 with theexception that at least one of the rod members RM (optionally each rodmember) is replaced with a wedge member (or a pair of wedge members)adapted to provide the seating functionality described herein. Manyother variants will be apparent to skilled artisans given the presentdisclosure as a guide.

The invention provides a variety of methods for operating a press brake.Some embodiments, for example, provide a method of mounting a pressbrake tool TL on a tool holder TH of a press brake having a pressingaxis. The tool holder has a tool-mount channel C bounded by first andsecond confronting walls CW, CW′. Here, the first confronting wall CW′is moveable at least in part toward the second confronting wall CW. Thetool holder TH, in some embodiments, has at least one load-deliveringsurface LD and is adapted for moving the tool TL when operativelymounted on the tool holder along the pressing axis PA. The tool TL has ashank S and at least one load-receiving surface LR. The tool TL in thepresent method also has a seating mechanism SM. The method comprisespositioning the tool's shank S in the tool-mount channel C and movingthe first confronting wall CW′ at least in part toward the secondconfronting wall CW thereby forcibly clamping the tool's shank betweenthe confronting walls CW, CW′ so as to deliver to the shank a force thatis at least partially converted into a seating component directed atleast generally parallel to the pressing axis PA. The seating componentof this force moves the tool TL relative to the tool holder TH so as tobring the load-receiving surface LR of the tool into engagement with theload-delivering surface LD of the tool holder.

The seating mechanism SM in the present method optionally comprises amoveable body MB mounted on the tool TL so as to be moveable relative toa portion (e.g., a stationary portion SP) of the tool's shank S, suchthat forcibly clamping the tool's shank between the confronting wallsCW, CW′ causes the moveable body to bear forcibly against a portion ofthe tool's shank thereby delivering at least the seating component ofthe force to the tool's shank (and desirably moving the tool in themanner described above).

The moveable body MB in the present method can optionally be a wedgemember WM carried (at least in part) alongside a cam surface CM of thetool's shank S. Here, forcibly clamping the tool's shank S between theconfronting walls CW, CW′ causes the wedge member WM to bear forciblyagainst, and cam with, the cam surface CM of the tool's shank so as tocause relative movement of the wedge member and the cam surface CM.

In the present method, the seating mechanism SM can optionally comprisetwo moveable bodies MB mounted at least in part on opposite sides of thetool's shank S. The two moveable bodies MB can be wedge members, if sodesired. Forcibly clamping the shank S of such a tool TL between theconfronting walls CW, CW′ of the tool holder TH causes the wedge membersWM to bear forcibly against, and cam with, respective cam surfaces CM onthe tool's shank. As noted above, this clamping can optionally causeopposed contact surfaces of the two wedge members to move closertogether.

In some of the present method embodiments, the moveable body MB is awheel member WH and forcibly clamping the tool's shank S between theconfronting walls CW, CW′ of the tool holder TH involves the wheelmember engaging one of the confronting walls thereby causing the wheelto rotate.

In some embodiments of the present method, the tool holder TH defines asafety groove SR open to the tool-mount channel C, the tool TL furthercomprises a retractable safety key SK, and the method includes movingthe tool's safety key into the tool holder's safety groove.

When provided, the safety key SK can optionally be operably coupled witha moveable link member LM such that the safety key moves along a lateralaxis of the tool TL in response to the link member moving along avertical axis of the tool. In some methods involving a press brake toolTL of this nature, moving the tool's safety key SK into the toolholder's safety groove SR involves the safety key moving along thelateral axis of the tool in response to the link member moving along thevertical axis of the tool.

In some embodiments of the present method wherein the tool TL includesboth a retractable safety key SK and a link member LM, the safety key SKis moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, thelink member LM is moveable between a first position and a secondposition, the safety key moves to its retracted position in response tothe link member moving to its second position, the safety key moves toits extended position in response to the link member moving to its firstposition, and moving the tool's safety key into the tool holder's safetygroove SR involves the safety key moving to its extended position inresponse to the link member moving to its first position.

FIGS. 19 through 22 exemplify a further embodiment wherein a moveableball member BA is provided on the tool TL so as to facilitate toollocating (i.e., so as to facilitate locating the shank S of the tool inthe channel C of the tool holder TH). Here, the confronting walls CW,CW′ of the tool holder TH each define a recess SRE bounded by a curvedwall portion SSF. The shank S of the tool TL has a ball member BA thatis resiliently biased toward a first position. When the ball member BAis in its first position, a portion of the ball member projectsoutwardly through an opening BO in the tool's shank. Thus, when thetool's shank S is positioned in the tool holder's channel C, the ballmember BA engages a recess SRE of the tool holder TH and is therebywedged between a curved wall portion SSF of the tool holder and astationary portion of the tool's shank. Referring to FIG. 19, it can beappreciated that the ball member BA is mounted in a bore BOB extendingthrough at least a portion of the tool. The bore has an outlet BO, whichopens through a wall of the tool's shank. This is perhaps best seen inFIG. 20. Referring again to FIG. 19, it can be appreciated that a linkmember LM is slidably disposed in the bore BOB and has one end regionLMER against which the ball member BA is received. In FIG. 19, it can beappreciated that this end region LMER can optionally have a concave endsurface that is adapted to cradle the ball member BA. The illustratedlink member LM also has a base end LMBE against which a spring member(not shown, but optionally mounted in a blind end region PCK of the boreBOB) is adapted to bear forcibly so as to resiliently bias the linkmember LM toward its first position. The tool TL shown in FIG. 19 has anactuator A that can be operated so as to move the link member LM out ofits first position (in the process overcoming the resilient bias of aspring in the blind end region PCK of the bore BOB), which in turnallows the ball member BA to move entirely inside the bore BOB and outof engagement with the tool holder TH.

In FIG. 19, the illustrated actuator A and link member LM are adapted tocoact by virtue of a camming action. In particular, when the actuator Ais operated (e.g., by depressing its externally-accessible portion AA),an end region AAL of the actuator bears forcibly against, and cams with,a cam surface LMC of the link member LM. The illustrated link member LMhas a notch formed in its side surface, and this notch is bounded by thecam surface LMC.

In some of the present ball member embodiments, the ball member BA has adiameter that is at least about one-fifth of the lateral width of thetool's shank, and perhaps more preferably is at least about one-fourththe lateral width of the tool's shank.

Thus, the tool TL can be provided with a seating mechanism comprisingone or more moveable bodies (e.g., wedge members, rod members, wheelmembers, and/or ball members) of various different designs. In one groupof embodiments, the tool holder includes a moveable body having at leastone part (optionally the whole moveable body) comprising a polymer,optionally with a filler. In some of these embodiments, the moveablebody consists essentially of the polymer and the filler. One usefulpolymer is nylon, such as nylon 66. Torlon or ultra high molecularweight polyethylene may also be suitable. If so desired, the polymer cancomprise a filler that provides increased hardness, increaseddurability, and/or decreased flexibility. Glass fibers are anadvantageous filler. One embodiment involves a nylon polymer with aglass filler (e.g., nylon 66 with 20% glass filler). Other usefulfillers may include fumed silica or talc. When provided, each moveablebody comprising polymer can be produced by conventional molding methods.Suitable polymer components can also be obtained commercially fromcompanies like The ProtoMold Company (Maple Plain, Minn., U.S.A.).

In certain embodiments involving a moveable body MB comprising apolymer, the moveable body comprises (e.g., optionally is) a wedgemember WM at least a portion of which is carried alongside a cam surfaceCM of the tool's shank. Here, the wedge member WM comprises the polymerand is adapted to bear forcibly against, and cam with, the cam surfaceCM so as to cause relative movement of the wedge member and the camsurface. The cam surface can optionally be defined by a slanted and/orradiused wall of the tool's shank. Seating mechanisms of this nature aredescribed above in more detail. Some embodiments provide the cam surfaceCM in the form of metal (e.g., steel) over which a coating is provided.The coating, for example, can comprise nitrogen and/or carbon (e.g., itcan be a nitride and/or nitrocarbide enhancement, as described below).

Certain embodiments involving polymer technology provide a seatingmechanism that includes two moveable bodies MB mounted at least in parton opposite sides of the tool's shank. The two moveable bodies, forexample, can be wedge members WM that bear forcibly against, and camwith, respective cam surfaces CM on the tool's shank in response to theconfronting walls of the tool holder clamping forcibly on opposite sidesof the tool's shank. In the present embodiments, each wedge member WMcomprises the polymer. The seating mechanism in some of theseembodiments has an extended configuration and a retracted configuration,where opposed contact surfaces CS of the two wedge members are furtherapart when the seating mechanism is in its extended configuration thanwhen the seating mechanism is in its retracted configuration, and wherethe opposed contact surfaces of the two wedge members move closertogether in response to the confronting walls of the tool holderclamping forcibly on the opposite sides of the tool's shank. Each camsurface CM can optionally be defined by a slanted and/or radiused wallof the tool's shank. Seating mechanisms of this nature are describedabove in more detail.

The invention provides a number of embodiments wherein the seatingmechanism comprises at least one moveable body formed of one materialwhile the tool's shank (or at least a cam surface thereof and/or astationary portion thereof) is formed of another (different) material.The seating mechanism, for example, can include a moveable bodycomprising a polymer while the tool's shank (or at least a cam surfacethereof, and/or a stationary portion thereof, optionally a major portionthereof) comprises metal (e.g., steel).

In one group of embodiments, the tool TL is provided with a coating 907over at least one surface. In some embodiments of this group, a coating907 is provided on a cam surface CM (e.g., a surface against which amoveable body MB of the seating mechanism is adapted to cam duringclamping of a tool holder on the tool's shank) of the tool's shank.Here, the cam surface CM is not a surface that comes into contact withthe tool holder or the workpiece during operation. The coating 907,however, can be provided on such a cam surface to minimize or reduce anybinding that may otherwise occur between the moveable body or bodies ofthe seating mechanism and the cam surface(s) CM of the tool's shank.Reference is made to FIG. 26.

In some embodiments, the tool TL is provided with a coating 907 over atleast a majority of its shank's surface area (optionally oversubstantially all of its surface area, over substantially all of itssurface area excluding at least some internal surfaces, oversubstantially all of its surface area including internal surfaces, oversubstantially all of its surface area excluding surfaces of a safety keyand/or link member, etc.). The coating can be provided to increasesurface hardness, to increase lubricity, and/or to otherwise protectagainst wear, corrosion, sticking, and/or galling.

When provided, the coating can optionally be a dry lubricant coating.For example, the coating can comprise nickel (e.g., nickel alloy) and/ora low friction polymer. In some cases, the coated surface has one ormore of the following features: (i) a coefficient of static frictionbelow 0.35, below 0.3, or even below 0.2; (ii) a coefficient of dynamicfriction below 0.3, below 0.25, below 0.18, or even below 0.1. Usefuldry lubricant coatings are available commercially from, for example,General Magnaplate Corporation (Linden, N.J., USA) and PoetonIndustries, Ltd. (Gloucester, England). As one example, the coating canbe a NEDOX® coating.

In one subgroup of the present embodiments, the coating comprises anitride and/or a carbide. One commercially available nitride coating isthe Nitrex® coating, which is a high endurance surface enhancementavailable commercially from Nitrex, Inc. (Aurora, Ill., USA).Particularly useful nitriding and nitrocarburizing enhancements aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,884, the entire teachings of which areincorporated herein by reference.

Nitriding and nitrocarburizing processes are known in the field and neednot be described in great detail. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos.4,790,888 and 4,268,323, the teachings of which regarding suchenhancements are incorporated herein by reference. The latter patentrefers to the use of a fused salt bath to enable nitrogen and carbon todiffuse into the surface of a steel piece suspended in the bath to forma carbonitride case. Reference is made also to U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,721(referring to methods of forming carbonitride coatings), the teachingsof which regarding such coatings are incorporated herein by reference.

Nitriding processes, both plasma (ion) nitriding and liquid nitriding,are described in detail in the ASM Handbook prepared under the directionof the ASM International Handbook Committee, Revised vol. 4: HeatTreating, pp. 410-424 (1994), the teachings of which concerningnitriding enhancements are incorporated herein by reference. Plasma orion nitriding involves the use of glow discharge technology to providenascent nitrogen to the surface of a heated steel part. Here, the partis subjected to a nitrogen plasma in a vacuum chamber. Nascent nitrogendiffuses into the surface of the part to form an outer “compound” zonecontaining γ (Fe₄N) and ε(Fe_(2,3)N) intermetallics, and an inner“diffusion” zone which may be described as the original coremicrostructure with some solid solution and precipitation strengthening.Liquid nitriding involves immersing a steel part in a molten,nitrogen-containing fused salt bath containing cyanides or cyanates,e.g., NaCN or NaCNO. Tool components can be enhanced by liquid nitridingthrough a wide variety of commercial coating manufacturers, such asMetal Treaters Inc. of St. Paul, Minn., USA.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is to be understood that numerous changes, adaptations,and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.Thus, the invention has been described in connection with specificembodiments for purposes of illustration. The scope of the invention isdescribed in the claims, which are set forth below.

1. A press brake tool configured for being operatively mounted on a toolholder of a press brake having a pressing axis, the tool having a shankadapted for being positioned in a tool-mount channel of the tool holdersuch that the shank when clamped forcibly between confronting walls ofthe tool holder receives a force having a clamping component directed atleast generally perpendicular to the pressing axis, wherein the tool hasa seating mechanism that is adapted for at least partially convertingsaid force into a seating component directed at least generally parallelto the pressing axis, and wherein the seating mechanism comprises amoveable body mounted on the tool so as to be moveable relative to astationary portion of the tool's shank.
 2. The press brake tool of claim1 wherein the moveable body bears forcibly against a portion of thetool's shank and thereby delivers at least the seating component of saidforce to the tool's shank in response to said confronting walls of thetool holder clamping forcibly on the tool's shank.
 3. The press braketool of claim 1 wherein the moveable body comprises a wedge member atleast a portion of which is carried alongside a cam surface of thetool's shank, the wedge member being adapted to bear forcibly against,and cam with, the cam surface so as to cause relative movement of thewedge member and the cam surface.
 4. The press brake tool of claim 3wherein said cam surface is defined by a slanted and/or radiused wall ofthe tool's shank.
 5. The press brake tool of claim 1 wherein the seatingmechanism comprises two moveable bodies mounted at least in part onopposite sides of the tool's shank.
 6. The press brake tool of claim 5wherein said two moveable bodies are wedge members that bear forciblyagainst, and cam with, respective cam surfaces on the tool's shank inresponse to said confronting walls of the tool holder clamping forciblyon said opposite sides of the tool's shank.
 7. The press brake tool ofclaim 6 wherein the seating mechanism has an extended configuration anda retracted configuration, and wherein opposed contact surfaces of saidtwo wedge members are further apart when the seating mechanism is in itsextended configuration than when the seating mechanism is in itsretracted configuration.
 8. The press brake tool of claim 7 wherein saidopposed contact surfaces of said two wedge members move closer togetherin response to said confronting walls of the tool holder clampingforcibly on said opposite sides of the tool's shank.
 9. The press braketool of claim 1 wherein the moveable body is a rod member mountedslidably for axial movement relative to the stationary portion of thetool's shank.
 10. The press brake tool of claim 1 wherein the moveablebody is a wheel member mounted on the tool so as to be rotatablymoveable relative to said stationary portion of the tool's shank. 11.The press brake tool of claim 1 wherein the tool further comprises aretractable safety key adapted for engaging a safety groove and/or shelfof the tool holder.
 12. The press brake tool of claim 11 wherein thesafety key is operably coupled with a moveable link member such that thesafety key moves along a lateral axis of the tool in response to thelink member moving along a vertical axis of the tool.
 13. The pressbrake tool of claim 12 wherein the link member comprises a rigid rod.14. The press brake tool of claim 12 wherein the safety key is moveablebetween an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the linkmember is moveable between a first position and a second position,wherein the safety key moves to its retracted position in response tothe link member moving to its second position, and wherein the safetykey moves to its extended position in response to the link member movingto its first position.
 15. The press brake tool of claim 14 wherein thelink member is resiliently biased toward its first position.
 16. Thepress brake tool of claim 15 wherein the link member is operably coupledwith a selectively-operable actuator adapted for being operated at adesired time so as to move the link member to its second positionthereby moving the safety key to its retracted position.
 17. A method ofmounting a press brake tool on a tool holder of a press brake having apressing axis, the tool holder having a tool-mount channel bounded byfirst and second confronting walls, wherein the first confronting wallis moveable at least in part toward the second confronting wall, thetool holder having at least one load-delivering surface, the tool havinga shank and at least one load-receiving surface, wherein the tool has aseating mechanism comprising a moveable body mounted on the tool so asto be moveable relative to a stationary portion of the tool's shank, themethod comprising positioning the tool's shank in the tool-mount channeland moving the first confronting wall at least in part toward the secondconfronting wall thereby forcibly clamping the tool's shank between saidconfronting walls so as to deliver to the shank a force that is at leastpartially converted by the tool's seating mechanism into a seatingcomponent directed at least generally parallel to the pressing axis, theseating component of said force moving the tool relative to the toolholder so as to bring the load-receiving surface of the tool intoengagement with the load-delivering surface of the tool holder.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 wherein said forcibly clamping the tool's shankbetween said confronting walls causes the moveable body to bear forciblyagainst a portion of the tool's shank thereby delivering at least theseating component of said force to the tool's shank.
 19. The method ofclaim 17 wherein the moveable body is a wedge member carried alongside acam surface of the tool's shank, wherein said forcibly clamping thetool's shank between said confronting walls causes the wedge member tobear forcibly against, and cam with, the cam surface of the tool's shankso as to cause relative movement of the wedge member and the camsurface.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein the seating mechanismcomprises two moveable bodies mounted on opposite sides of the tool'sshank, wherein said two moveable bodies are wedge members, and whereinsaid forcibly clamping the tool's shank between said confronting wallscauses said two wedge members to bear forcibly against, and cam with,respective cam surfaces on the tool's shank.
 21. The method of claim 20wherein said forcibly clamping the tool's shank between said confrontingwalls causes opposed contact surfaces of said two wedge members to movecloser together.
 22. The method of claim 17 wherein the moveable body isa wheel member and said forcibly clamping the tool's shank between saidconfronting walls involves the wheel member engaging one of theconfronting walls thereby causing the wheel to rotate.
 23. The method ofclaim 17 wherein the tool holder defines a safety groove that is open tothe tool-mount channel, wherein the tool further comprises a retractablesafety key, and the method includes moving the tool's safety key intothe tool holder's safety groove.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein thesafety key is operably coupled with a moveable link member such that thesafety key moves along a lateral axis of the tool in response to thelink member moving along a vertical axis of the tool, and wherein saidmoving the tool's safety key into the tool holder's safety grooveinvolves the safety key moving along said lateral axis in response tothe link member moving along said vertical axis.
 25. The method of claim24 wherein the safety key is moveable between an extended position and aretracted position, wherein the link member is moveable between a firstposition and a second position, wherein the safety key moves to itsretracted position in response to the link member moving to its secondposition, wherein the safety key moves to its extended position inresponse to the link member moving to its first position, and whereinsaid moving the tool's safety key into the tool holder's safety grooveinvolves the safety key moving to its extended position in response tothe link member moving to its first position.
 26. A press brake toolhaving a shank that is provided with a retractable safety key, thesafety key being moveable between an extended position and a retractedposition, wherein the safety key is operably coupled with a moveablelink member such that the safety key moves from its extended position toits retracted position in response to the link member moving along avertical axis of the tool.
 27. The press brake tool of claim 26 whereinthe link member comprises a rigid rod member.
 28. The press brake toolof claim 26 wherein the link member is moveable between a first positionand a second position, wherein the safety key moves to its retractedposition in response to the link member moving to its second position,and wherein the safety key moves to its extended position in response tothe link member moving to its first position.
 29. The press brake toolof claim 28 wherein the link member is resiliently biased toward itsfirst position.
 30. The press brake tool of claim 29 wherein the linkmember is operably coupled with a selectively-operable actuator adaptedfor being operated at a desired time so as to overcome such resilientbias and move the link member to its second position thereby moving thesafety key to its retracted position.
 31. The press brake tool of claim30 wherein the safety key is operably coupled with the link member byvirtue of a male projection of the link member being slidably receivedin an elongated angled slot defined by the safety key, said slotextending at an angle relative to said vertical axis of the tool. 32.The press brake tool of claim 31 wherein said angle is between about 5degrees and about 85 degrees.
 33. The press brake tool of claim 31wherein said male projection of the link member is a pin slidablyreceived in the elongated angled slot defined by the safety key.
 34. Apress brake tool having a shank adapted for being positioned in atool-mount channel of a tool holder, wherein a ball member is mounted onthe tool so as to be moveable relative to a stationary portion of thetool's shank, the ball member being moveable between an extendedposition and a retracted position, wherein at least a portion of theball member projects outwardly from the tool's shank when the ballmember is in its extended position.
 35. The press brake tool of claim 34wherein the ball member comprises a metal sphere.
 36. The press braketool of claim 34 wherein the tool's shank has a lateral width and theball member is a sphere having a diameter of at least about ⅕^(th) saidlateral width.
 37. The press brake tool of claim 34 wherein the tool'sshank has two generally opposed sidewalls, wherein a portion of the ballmember projects outwardly from a first of said sidewalls when the ballmember is in its extended position, and wherein a second of saidsidewalls is at least generally planar.
 38. The press brake tool ofclaim 37 wherein the tool includes a load-receiving surface that is atleast generally planar, said load-receiving surface being at leastgenerally perpendicular to said second of said sidewalls of the tool'sshank.
 39. The press brake tool of claim 34 wherein the tool's shank hasa non-cylindrical configuration.
 40. The press brake tool of claim 34wherein the ball member is housed in a bore of the tool, and wherein atleast part of a spring member is disposed in said bore, said springmember being adapted for resiliently biasing, either directly or via oneor more other bodies, the ball member toward its extended position. 41.The press brake tool of claim 40 wherein an elongated link member isalso housed in said bore, said elongated link member having opposedfirst and second end regions, the link member being slidable in saidbore between first and second positions the ball member being slidablein said bore between its extended and retracted positions, wherein theball member is in its extended position when the link member is in itsfirst position, said spring member bearing forcibly against the secondend region of the link member thereby resiliently biasing the linkmember toward its first position.
 42. The press brake tool of claim 41wherein the link member in the bore is located between the ball memberand said spring member.
 43. The press brake tool of claim 41 wherein thetool includes an actuator that can be operated so as to cause the linkmember to slide to its second position, thereby overcoming saidresilient bias of the spring member and allowing the ball member to moveto its retracted position.
 44. The press brake tool of claim 43 whereinthe actuator comprises a moveable cam body that is adapted to bearforcibly against, and cam with, a cam surface of the link member whenthe actuator is operated.
 45. The press brake tool of claim 44 whereinthe link member comprises an elongated shaft, the shaft having thereinformed a notch that defines said cam surface of the link member.
 46. Thepress brake tool of claim 41 wherein the link member comprises anelongated shaft having a concave first end region in which a portion ofthe ball member is nested at least when the ball member is in itsextended position.
 47. A press brake tool configured for beingoperatively mounted on a tool holder of a press brake having a pressingaxis, the tool having a shank adapted for being positioned in atool-mount channel of the tool holder such that the shank when clampedforcibly between confronting walls of the tool holder receives a forcehaving a clamping component directed at least generally perpendicular tothe pressing axis, wherein the tool has a seating mechanism that isadapted for at least partially converting said force into a seatingcomponent directed at least generally parallel to the pressing axis, andwherein the seating mechanism comprises a moveable body mounted on thetool, the moveable body comprising a polymer.
 48. The press brake toolof claim 47 wherein the moveable body comprises the polymer and afiller.
 49. The press brake tool of claim 48 wherein the moveable bodyconsists essentially of the polymer and filler.
 50. The press brake toolof claim 48 wherein the polymer is nylon and the filler is glass. 51.The press brake tool of claim 48 wherein the moveable body comprises awedge member at least a portion of which is carried alongside a camsurface of the tool's shank, the wedge member comprising the polymer andbeing adapted to bear forcibly against, and cam with, the cam surface soas to cause relative movement of the wedge member and the cam surface.52. The press brake tool of claim 51 wherein the cam surface is definedby a metal over which a coating is provided.
 53. The press brake tool ofclaim 52 wherein the cam surface is defined by steel over which thecoating is provided.
 54. The press brake tool of claim 52 wherein thecoating comprises nitrogen and/or carbon.
 55. The press brake tool ofclaim 47 wherein the tool is a punch.
 56. The press brake tool of claim47 wherein the seating mechanism comprises two moveable bodies mountedat least in part on opposite sides of the tool's shank, wherein said twomoveable bodies are wedge members that bear forcibly against, and camwith, respective cam surfaces on the tool's shank in response to saidconfronting walls of the tool holder clamping forcibly on said oppositesides of the tool's shank, wherein each wedge member comprises thepolymer, wherein the seating mechanism has an extended configuration anda retracted configuration, wherein opposed contact surfaces of said twowedge members are further apart when the seating mechanism is in itsextended configuration than when the seating mechanism is in itsretracted configuration, and wherein said opposed contact surfaces ofsaid two wedge members move closer together in response to saidconfronting walls of the tool holder clamping forcibly on said oppositesides of the tool's shank.
 57. The press brake tool of claim 51 whereinthe cam surface is defined by a slanted and/or radiused wall of thetool's shank.
 58. A press brake tool configured for being mounted on atool holder of a press brake by moving a shank of the tool verticallyinto a tool-mount channel defined by the tool holder, wherein the toolis adapted for being dismounted from the tool holder by moving the toolhorizontally out of the channel, and wherein the tool is not adapted forbeing dismounted from the tool holder by moving the tool vertically outof the channel, the tool having no externally accessible actuator forretracting the safety key such that once the tool's shank is moved intoan operative position in the channel of the tool holder a press brakeoperator is prevented from retracting the safety key and removing thetool vertically from the tool holder, the press brake having a pressingaxis, the tool's shank having a retractable safety key and being adaptedfor being positioned in the channel of the tool holder such that theshank when clamped forcibly between confronting walls of the tool holderreceives a force having a clamping component directed at least generallyperpendicular to the pressing axis, wherein the tool has a seatingmechanism adapted for at least partially converting said force into aseating component directed at least generally parallel to the pressingaxis, and wherein the seating mechanism comprises a moveable bodymounted on the tool.
 59. The press brake tool of claim 58 wherein theseating component of said force is adapted to move the tool relative tothe tool holder so as to bring a load-bearing surface of the tool intoengagement with a load-bearing surface of the tool holder.
 60. The pressbrake tool of claim 58 wherein the tool is provided in combination withthe tool holder, and wherein the tool holder has no externallyaccessible actuator for causing the tool's safety key to retract suchthat once the tool's shank is moved into the operative position in thechannel of the tool holder the press brake operator is prevented fromretracting the safety key and removing the tool vertically from the toolholder.
 61. The press brake tool of claim 60 wherein the tool has aleading body portion that terminates at a tip, the leading body portionbeing that portion of the tool that is not concealed by the tool holderwhen the tool's shank is in its operative position in the channel of thetool holder, the leading body portion of the tool being defined entirelyby solid wall having no openings.